Choosing The Right Equipment

Facing a bag full of clubs with a target hundreds of yards away can be quite intimidating.

Truth is: it all comes down to how far you want the ball to go.

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There are hundreds of types of clubs, but they all are either a putter or a driver.

A basic set of clubs consist of a 1, 3 and 5 wood, those are the drivers. Unless you are using grandpa's clubs, these are not actually made of wood but titanium or a fusion of copper and iron. These are used for long shots. The higher the number: the bigger, and more powerful, the club.

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Irons are used for short distances. Again there are three irons; a putter, a wedge, and a three-iron.

You don't need to have your own clubs to get out there. Many driving ranges and courses rent clubs. In addition to allowing you to play a few times before you pluck down hundreds of dollars for your own set, renting clubs allows you to try a variety of styles and sizes.

Club rentals at Hartford's Keney Golf Course are $2. That's cheap -- rentals at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford, for instance, are $10 for nine holes and $20 for 18.

Once you know you're going to stick with it, you should buy your own set. While a new set with more specialized clubs made with lighter metals can run over a thousand-dollars, a used set with the six you really need should be between $100 and $150. New sets start at about $350.

When selecting clubs make sure they fit you. There are men's and women's and right- and left-handed clubs. There are different heights as well. You'll want the club to stand just above your waist.

Take a few swings before buying or renting any clubs and ask a sales person for help.

Next you'll need balls and tees. Both are made to be lost and are not that expensive.

Just like clubs, golf balls are getting more specialized. But like your clubs, it is debatable whether these high-performance balls make much difference.

A novice using a fancy driver and balls is a bit like a teenager driving a Porsche. You'll probably end up in a ditch or pond. Not to mention, you spend a lot more money than they need to.